Page 53 of Intolerable
“Earlier today,” Mrs. Shaughnessy said.
Goodness, they’d wasted no time. “You traveled from Gloucestershire?” Cassandra knew that was the location of Ruark’s English estate where they lived. But perhaps they’d come from somewhere else.
“Yes. We were most eager to see London.”
“Indeed. I can hardly wait to visit the museum,” Miss Shaughnessy said brightly.
“It is well worth the visit,” Glastonbury noted with one of his dazzling smiles. He tipped his head toward Cassandra. “We should go one day. Perhaps next week.”
She glanced toward him. “Er, yes.”
“Excellent. I shall look forward to it. And now I must be off.” He turned and took her hand—the one that had been clasping his sleeve. Bending over it, he floated a kiss just above her glove. She could imagine the barest hint of his lips against the kid leather.
She lifted her gaze toward Ruark and noted, giddily, that his eyes were narrowed as he fixed on Glastonbury. The viscount left, and Sabrina suggested they move off the path to converse.
“My Kathleen will be participating in the Season,” Ruark’s mother said, mainly to Sabrina. “I do hope we’ll see you.” She looked toward Cassandra. “And you, my lady.”
Cassandra hadn’t realized his sister would be on the Marriage Mart. But then she hadn’t even known they were coming to town. “How splendid. I should be delighted to help introduce Miss Shaughnessy to Society.”
“We’ll be attending the assembly at Ruark’s club on Friday,” Mrs. Shaughnessy said, glancing toward her son, whose brow had remained slightly furrowed since Glastonbury had left. She turned her attention to Sabrina. “I understand the assembly is an excellent place to go to access the Marriage Mart?” She seemed most eager.
“It can be, yes,” Sabrina said slowly. “I would also recommend obtaining a voucher to Almack’s if you can get one. It can be difficult, but your son is a peer, so that is always a help.”
Mrs. Shaughnessy sent her son an expectant look. “I assume you can get us a voucher?”
His eyes widened briefly as he tipped his head. “Assume nothing on that front. It’s entirely up to the patronesses of Almack’s.”
“I have faith in you, dear.” His mother’s lips spread in a wide, confident smile.
Miss Shaughnessy stepped toward Cassandra, her gaze fixed somewhere to the left of her. “I’d rather go to the museum with you and the other gentleman.”
“The museum?” Cassandra asked, bemused.
“With Glastonbury,” Ruark said stiffly. “He invited you to go next week.”
“Oh, right.” Cassandra had already forgotten. “I’m sure we can arrange a visit to the museum,” she said to his sister. “What are you interested in seeing?”
“The animal specimens mostly, but I would like to see everything.”
Ruark smiled at Miss Shaughnessy. “My sister has a passion for animals.”
“Shall we walk down to the Serpentine to see the waterfowl?” Cassandra suggested.
Miss Shaughnessy nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, please.”
Cassandra met Ruark’s eyes, trying to silently communicate that they should walk together.
Mrs. Shaughnessy walked to Sabrina. “Lady Aldington, I wonder if I might ask you about fashion and what my Kathleen ought to wear.”
“I can certainly try to help.”
Cassandra wondered if she ought to be the one to answer Mrs. Shaughnessy’s questions since Sabrina had relied on Evie to help her refurbish her wardrobe this Season. However, Cassandra was too eager to speak with Ruark. Alone.
Sabrina moved back to the path with Mrs. Shaughnessy and started toward the Serpentine with the other woman bustling along at her side.
Prudence looked to Cassandra, who joined her as Ruark walked with his sister. Cassandra frowned in disappointment.
“What’s wrong?” Prudence asked quietly.
